Scalpers enter marathon, cash in on runners

Scalpers enter race, cash in on runnersMarathon vows to punish those who register and then auction slots for sold-out event

CLAUDIA FELDMAN, Copyright 2007 Houston Chronicle

Published 5:30 am, Friday, October 26, 2007

Photo: MAYRA BELTRÁN, CHRONICLE FILE

Image 1of/1

Caption

Close

Image 1 of 1

Houston Marathon runners weren't balked by wet weather. This time, however, many runners were left out when slots quickly sold out.

Houston Marathon runners weren't balked by wet weather. This time, however, many runners were left out when slots quickly sold out.

Photo: MAYRA BELTRÁN, CHRONICLE FILE

Scalpers enter marathon, cash in on runners

1 / 1

Back to Gallery

Talk about a run for the money.

When the Chevron Houston Marathon sold out in record time this year, it left an untold number of Houstonians stuck at the starting line. Now, dozens of people who are registered are scalping their reservations for as much as $500.

Some would-be participants are appalled, too, while others are raising their bids.

Robert McKee, an Austin runner, was getting ready to pay for three entry fees — two brothers want to race, too — when he realized registration was closed.

He checked the official Web site, which was swamped with stories just like his, so he tried his luck on the online auction site Craigslist.

Several people almost sold McKee their spots for $200 apiece, he said. They backed out because they could get more cash from someone else. Now McKee's top offer is $275.

It's hard, he knows, to understand why anyone would pay hundreds of dollars for the chance to run 26.2 miles, many of them gut-wrenching and blister-inducing.

But McKee says he enjoys the rush of feelings at the finish line.

"After five months of training, the sense of accomplishment and success at the end is kind of neat."

The 36th Houston Marathon will be Jan. 13.

Last January, the race was limited to 15,000 runners, including marathoners and half-marathoners, and organizers ended registration in the first week of December.

The 2008 race is open to 17,000 runners, but registration was capped even earlier — at the end of September.

For Houston, it's the gift that keeps giving.

"We've already sold out nine hotels," said Karpas, the race spokesman. "We expect out-of-towners will spend money in our restaurants and visit our museums. By the end of the race, we also expect to have raised about $1 million for 45 charities around town."

Still, with the growth has come headaches, especially at registration time.

Last race, runners complained bitterly because there was no legitimate way to enter the fray after registration closed, even though it was common knowledge that 10 percent of the paid participants would be no-shows on race day.

Inevitably, Karpas explains, there are training injuries, work problems, family problems. This year, the marathon Web site offers a place for runners who want to cancel and latecomers who want to race find each other. All that's involved is a $40 transfer fee.

Who pays the transfer fee, the original entrance fee and perhaps some sweetener is up to the buyer and the seller, Karpas says — to a point. Race officials have ruled that anything beyond $200 for entrance to the marathon and $140 for the half-marathon is price gouging.

Offenders, if caught, will be barred from the race and race events in 2009.

A note on the Web site announces the policy, set Wednesday, in capital letters.

"WE SUGGEST YOU CHANGE YOUR ASKING PRICE IMMEDIATELY."

Yes, Karpas adds, officials are actively looking for perpetrators.

There's one other little problem that non-runners might not think about right away. It's important for those who trade the race bibs, he says, to pay the transfer fees and get the numbers registered in the right names.

For example, a 65-year-old woman might sell her spot to a 20-year-old man. If he doesn't register properly, he'll be judged against others in her age bracket and cause considerable agitation among his competition.

"If we catch anybody cheating," Karpas says, "they are banned from the race for life. And it does happen."

In the meantime, the requests for marathon slots on the online auction sites make for entertaining reading.

"I'll be sick if I can't run!" wails one would-be competitor.

"I've recovered from a torn ACL and MCL," pleads another, "and I'm running my first marathon. I didn't know the entry would close so soon. Please help me! I'll pay the registration fee and a bit more. Maybe some Rockets tickets or something."

And another woeful tale:

"My sister-in-law is coming home from South Africa and has been training for the Houston half-marathon. We were supposed to get her registered and didn't realize the cap would hit so fast. We can't go over the top for a (ticket), but if you have one you won't be using, please let us know. She has been working for two years with the Peace Corps / AIDS."

And just one more:

"I would like to buy a 2008 Houston Marathon (ticket). Chicago was my first marathon, and as all know, it was not a good day for most. I want to redeem myself.

"If it helps, I'm originally from Houston and my sister who lives there will be able to cheer me on. Pick me, Pick me.

"If you are looking to make big money, I'm not the person to sell it to. Still pick me."

Jason Zamora, a personal trainer, is hoping to buy a spot on the starting line, too. But, he says, he has his limits. If he can't buy a registration for $150, he'll take his competitive juices to Austin.